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Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure occurs when your lungs have trouble getting oxygen into your blood or carbon dioxide out of it. This can make it hard to breathe and feel really scary. At UVA, you'll find experts who will help ease the fear and the symptoms.

Respiratory Failure Types: Acute & Chronic

From airway blockages and brain damage to spine or chest abnormalities, a number of injuries or diseases can result in breathing problems.

Respiratory failure can occur:

As the result of injury or illness, developing quickly, in acute form

Due to respiratory illness, developing slowly, over time and possibly requiring lifelong support as a chronic condition

Breathing failure of this kind leads to various symptoms. You may:

Have low levels of oxygen in your blood

Feel like you’re out of breath

Have a bluish color on the skin, lips, fingernails

Lose consciousness

Have irregular heartbeats

Have high levels of carbon dioxide in your blood, which causes:

Rapid breathing

Confusion

A combination of low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels

Acute Respiratory Failure Causes

Acute respiratory failure can result from lung or head trauma caused by:

Oxygen Therapy

Easing Breathing When You Sleep

We can help you decide on a strategy that helps you breathe at night. Options include:

The use of a ventilation machine that keeps your airways open, allowing air into your lungs

Finding the right sleeping position

Trying a special bed

If you’re unable to breathe on your own at all, you’ll need a breathing tube. This requires the use of sedating medications.

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory Failure is a condition when your lungs are having issues with gas exchange and make it difficult to breathe. Dr. Taison Bell goes more into depth about respiratory failure and possible causes. View Transcript.